SPP 1468: Osteoimmunology - A Programme to Unravel the Mutual Interactions between the Immune System and Bone (IMMUNOBONE)

Basic data for this project

Description

Osteoimmunology is an emerging field that combines immunologic and musculoskeletal research. The interactions between bone and the immune system were recognised less than ten years ago by the discovery of a protein termed Receptor Activator of NF-kB Ligand (RANKL). Since then, interest in this field has increased dramatically and novel insights into the mutual regulation of bone and the immune system have been achieved. Major fields of interest are the regulation of bone mass and architecture by the immune system in inflammatory diseases as well as the characterisation of bone marrow as an organ required for the differentiation and survival of immune cells. The Priority Programme IMMUNOBONE is intended to develop this new field of research and to decipher key molecular, cellular and clinical mechanisms in the interplay between these two organ systems, to develop and to adopt new therapies. As shown in clinical observations, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases induce bone damage, but the molecular processes are poorly understood. Inflammatory processes can induce bone destruction and affect bone metabolism in a similar way as tumour metastases. The mediators that are actually involved in these mechanisms will be part of the investigations of the IMMUNOBONE consortium. Also, the Priority Programme will investigate the role of bone as a “school” of the immune cells. It is already known that the majority of immune cells develop in the bone marrow closely connected with the bone substance. There are speculations that bone tissue regulates maturation and the state of immune cells. It has been suggested that immunologic memory is maintained in the bone marrow, which protects humans against infections caused by germs. Both aspects are of essential clinical importance. To accomplish this, IMMUNOBONE will foster and strengthen the collaboration of leading researchers in the field of immunology, bone and cartilage biology, rheumatology, orthopaedic surgery, haematology and molecular genetics and establish a long-lasting consortium for cutting edge research in the field of osteoimmunology within 26 projects.